What year and what model should i shoot for? All opinions are appreciated!

 

You won;t regret it if you get this:
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...433#post754433

 

He's over here too:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nan-r53-5.html

 

thats a nice MINI.

 

Don't know where you are, but that doesn't really matter. Go to MiniUSA.com and go to the "Find a Dealer" tab. Search the inventory of all the dealers within a 100 mile radius. Use the best deal you can find as a benchmark. Have fun, the search is half the fun.

 

If I were in the hunt & had funds, w/o blinking, I'd get the mint collectible GP 741 w/ 4550mi on the clock. Do a search, It's up for sale last time I checked.

 

Very nice minsanity! I'm stuck between supercharged or turbo! AAAHHHHH. From what iv'e been reading.. R53's are more fun to drive.(i sway towards having fun in the canyons).

I live in socal btw, chino hills area.

 

Minsanity was kind to let me know yesterday that you are considering purchasing a MINI.

Good luck in your search.

As for me, I went and talked to owners and drove some different MINI's to see for myself. Plusses and Minuses to both - and can't lose with either choice.

Personally, I'd say R53 chassis offers a more direct enthusiast oriented feeling and sounds. Both are nice, and the differences are clear, so if you have a chance to drive examples from both generations, it should be readily apparent which one you prefer.

Personally, after I decided that I had to have a R53 chassis and powerplant, (the Mad Max supercharger whine was completely addictive to me), I searched high and low for a 2006, which was the final year of R53 production (MINI S coupe).

Anticipating an offer tomorrow from an interested enthusiast in New Jersey who is considering either shipping or driving "Charlize" back home.

Typically, with cars or motorcycles that I have owned, the first or second person that comes to see my vehicle leaves with a pink slip and the vehicle and I leave with great memories and a bunch of cash.

So, since you're local in So Cal / Orange County just let me know if you want to meet up soon.. I work in and around the Newport and Tustin areas generally. And no pressure, always happy to help educate a prospective MINI owner. This coming week is a little busier than most, but would be great if our schedules afford an hour or so to talk shop.

 

Charlize has got it goin' on. Were there black rims on before?

Dilemma: need to trade my 05 tacoma trd in as part of the 16k-17k.

 

There are many debates about 1st & 2nd gens. Different cars. I've driven many of both & I won't get into that. I would only share my 2cents on R53s:
1. Simple to maintain. Though there are issues here & there, all have known fixes, aren't that complex & can be tackled yourself if you're into wrenchin'.
2. Stock superchargers are a novelty. They're mostly only in performance cars.
3. Ultimate go-kart feel & road connection.
4. Easily modified. Though you probably won't need to do anything w/ Charlize or a GP.
5. Being 1st gen, all succeeding models will be evolutions of this.
Just a few points to ponder while you're in search. The process is fun in itself.
Good luck!

 

That's not a question anyone can really answer. You have to go drive each generation car and decide which one you like. Both generations have their reliability "issues", so be sure to understand what they are. Do you want a newer car, or does age not matter? What options are important to you (i.e. do you have to have a pano roof, heated seats, etc...).

$17k will buy you a lot of nice MINIs in either generation.

 

I'm in the same boat as the original poster. Due to recent surgeries I'm having to leave the motorcycle world, but I still need to scratch that itch for carving corners. (I live 30 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.) I've always been interested in Mini's and figured why not give them a shot? Years back I had a couple of Fiat X1/9's, so I'm expecting with a Mini I'll get the same go-cart handling but a LOT more power than the Fiat.

I know on some forums there are general knowledge sections for newbies. Is there one here that outlines the differences in 1st / 2nd generation, etc? I really know nothing about Mini's and that's why I'm here. I should also mention I live very close to Virginia International Raceway and will likely want to do some track days. So, any help will be appreciated. Help me be sure to get the most out of my $15k to $17k initial purchase...

thanks,
Jeff

 

Check this out, Jeff:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...kmate-s&cat=12

& this 1 too:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...34-4-sale.html

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. Minsanity, thanks for the specific ones for sale. I'm not crazy about the checker stickers on the 1st. I LOVE the idea of a GP, except I do need the rear seats for my lil nephews to enjoy motoring with me.

I've found an 05 MCS with 73k miles, dark grey, upgraded JCW brakes, K&N filter, new tires, original owner for $12,800. Looks good online so I might check it out in person.

What kind of mileage is expected out of a Mini before problems start to arise?

 

More on the Checkmate Package:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/08/..._2006_updates/

 

People in general can tend to overly focus on low mileage as an absolute indicator of quality.

Me personally, I'll carefully consider condition as well as mileage to a certain extent. I'd rather have a well cared for and loved vehicle, than a low mileage car that may have been neglected. Subject to inspection on both obviously.

Certainly, the best of both worlds is finding one that is (1) well taken care of + (2) has low mileage!

 

Syco, I agree completely about care and maint. meaning more than mileage. I found my Mini S and hit the jackpot in regards to care as the person I bought it from is the service manager at a Mini dealer. The car is in excellent shape! The wife and I test drove it this past weekend and made a deal on the spot. We're going back to pick it up this Saturday, so pictures will be coming soon!

ps. My new car looks a good bit similar to Charlize. You'll see soon...

 

chick draper's thread should serve as a sobering reminder of the inherent risk of buying any car off original factory warranty. He thought he was covered by an extended warranty but that proved not to be the case. Even if you are a good mechanic purchasing a 6 or 7 yr old car is a crap-shoot. There are lemons out there and a CarFax report might not tell you much.

At a minimum, buy a car that has all the service records, and talk to the service advisor of the dealer where the work was done. If the seller has no records or balks at giving you references, then be prepared to walk away.

I may be drummed away from NAM, but $16,000.00 will buy you a brand new Fiat. Just saying ........

Let the trashing begin.

 

But not an Abarth, right?

 

My credit union offered me an extended warranty on the car. I didn't take it yet, but have a month to decide. It's bumper to bumper, unlimited mileage, 3 years for $1,600. If I don't use it, I can get a refund at the end of the period. My thought is this car has been well maintained and is in great shape. It will be a "toy" and not a daily driver so I won't put much mileage on it. I don't expect anything to happen worth more than $1,600 so I don't think I need the warranty. Let's hear what all of you think. You're the more informed concering Mini S reliability so let me know what your thoughts are. (Car has the pully mod for supercharger and a 6 speed manual. Extremely well maintained by previous owner who is a Mini dealer service manager...)

 

O.K. you are being offer a full warranty for $1,600.00, refundable if you don't use it. At current savings account interst rates that would be a whopping $55.00 of interest that you would lose. Now, consider that no matter how well maintained your A/C compressor craps out or the CV boots or any number of items that can fail do. It's a no-brainier. Risk $55.00 to avoid $1,000s in repair costs. I'd do it every day of the week.

 

Ok everyone, here are a couple of pictures of the new-to-me R53 in my driveway. It's in the shop right now having the window tint re-done. (Can't have it as dark in Va as it was in NC, so we're removing it all and replacing with ceramic tint...)

\

 

Congrats on getting Magnus!

 

Minsanity, I don't think I had called Magnus out by name (?) so I must assume you know the car's original owners and its history.?. I've been very happy with the car thus far. The previous owner was very nice and the sale was one of the best car deals I've ever been part of as far as coming to a deal and working out the logistics of everything, even more so considering it was across state lines... Your profile doesn't say where you're from, but I'm assuming the same place as Griff and Drew? Feel free to PM me if you prefer to keep info private. I would love to make some "local" contacts though.

 

Got the plates swapped from the other car since they're more appropriate on the Mini. Note that in Virginia you have to mount a front plate so I got the Platypus. It's was very simple to install and although it looks very unusual, I think it looks better than drilling 2 holes in the front fender.